Perry’s POV
A king bows to no one, but I wasn’t a king in this mont—just a man.
When I dropped to my knees, I did it for my mate. I knelt for Phoebe, not because Elder Augustus commanded it.
The crowd erupted in laughter around . Their terror of the king lted away. They saw my humiliation and reveled in it.
"Never witnessed a king on his knees before. My own king wouldn’t have knelt even with his dying breath." A Valerium warrior roared with amusent. "This is your mad king? What a pathetic excuse for a monarch!"
Elder Augustus’s smirk widened at the scene before him. "Your reign has lasted long enough. Ti to step down. You’ve bathed this kingdom in blood throughout your rule. This ends now. This is your finale." Elder Augustus squeezed Marco’s shoulder. "You’ve chosen wisely."
Maxwell moved closer to Elder Augustus. "Honor your word."
"Absolutely." Elder Augustus nodded with fake wisdom. "Your kingdom will be returned to you."
I let out a bitter laugh at those words, like watching a child tell an obvious lie, and the Elder’s face darkened.
"You’re a fool to trust that."
Maxwell’s expression turned murderous. He stord toward and drove his good fist into my face with everything he had, but I didn’t move. I didn’t strike back.
When I refused to retaliate, Elder Augustus’s eyes lit up with malicious inspiration. "Beat him senseless." His gaze turned vicious. "Beat him to death. A tyrant like him doesn’t earn an honorable end."
The warriors looked uncertain about the command, yet eager to try. Seven of them circled like vultures.
I looked at Phoebe. "Don’t worry, close your eyes," I told her. "Close your eyes," I repeated. But how could she look away from the tornt I was about to face?
——
Phoebe’s POV
’Fight back!’ I scread silently at him. If Perry surrendered completely, they’d end his life. ’They’re going to kill you! Fight back!’
I knew Perry could destroy them all. The only thing stopping him was .
I couldn’t stomach watching Perry kneel like this. He was a king—he shouldn’t let them degrade him this way. They were humiliating him!
’Please, fight back! Please, Perry! FIGHT BACK!’ I wanted to shriek. I despised being voiceless, repeating the sa plea endlessly, while Perry simply smiled at .
I watched those seven warriors approach the king hesitantly, terrified the mad king might suddenly fight back, knowing they couldn’t match him. When one landed a punch on Perry and he didn’t retaliate, it signaled the others to begin their assault.
If Perry chose to fight, he could have taken them all. But at what price? He’d rather die than see his mate hard. He chose a beating over my suffering.
’Perry, please...’ I wept internally. ’Please...’
I watched in terror as two n shifted into beasts and raked claws across Perry’s face and stomach, forcing him onto his back. If this continued, Perry would die. He wouldn’t even defend himself, but his eyes... those electric blue eyes burned with lethal intent. He would have torn them apart if he could.
That murderous look made so warriors hesitate again, but the two beasts kept their attack going.
I struggled to break free, but Marco’s grip was iron. I had no escape. If sothing happened to Perry, the bla would fall on . Because of . Perry couldn’t fight back because of , and if he died, it would be like I killed him myself. I couldn’t bear that.
’Perry, please... Perry, please... fight back...’ I cried.
I witnessed sothing horrific when one beast clawed Perry’s back, tearing away flesh as blood poured out and pooled around his body.
"PERRY!" I scread his na, shocking everyone who believed I was mute.
——
Perry’s POV
I looked at Phoebe and smiled despite my wounds. Finally... finally I could hear her voice again.
"Please, Perry... fight back. Fight back..." Phoebe seed unaware she could finally speak, her entire focus on . She couldn’t stand seeing like this. "Please, fight them all..."
Elder Augustus recovered from his shock first. "Kill him! Kill the king now!" If I heeded her words, I might fight back, and even badly injured, I could still battle. That would complicate things for him.
"Stand up and fight!" Phoebe scread.
"Kill him! Kill him!" Elder Augustus refused to risk it. He wanted dead. "KILL HIM!" His voice thundered through the forest, jolting all the warriors.
Now they all shifted into beasts. Even badly wounded, I could see the calculation in Phoebe’s eyes—she knew that no matter how strong I was... I would die if this continued.
In that mont, I watched her face transform with desperate determination, and I realized what she was planning to do.
She jerked her head against Marco’s claws...
Reviews
All reviews (0)